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<title>SEED Public Charter School DC Archives - LearnServe International</title>
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<title>LearnServe Jamaica 2019, Day 7: Life at The “Source Farm”</title>
<link>https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/30/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-7-life-at-the-source-farm/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-7-life-at-the-source-farm</link>
<comments>https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/30/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-7-life-at-the-source-farm/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[learnserve]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 30 Jun 2019 19:28:22 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica '19]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[LearnServe Abroad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[SEED Public Charter School DC]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://learn-serve.org/?p=12155</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>As I reflect on my first week of the LearnServe abroad trip to Jamaica, I have learned so much new information, met so many new […]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/30/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-7-life-at-the-source-farm/">LearnServe Jamaica 2019, Day 7: Life at The “Source Farm”</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="12157" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/30/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-7-life-at-the-source-farm/anjanag-2/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1.jpg" data-orig-size="1486,1550" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.6","credit":"","camera":"LM-G710","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1561311455","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.03","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.00833333333333","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="AnjanaG" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1-288x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1-982x1024.jpg" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12157" width="187" height="194" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1.jpg 1486w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1-288x300.jpg 288w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1-768x801.jpg 768w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1-982x1024.jpg 982w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1-830x866.jpg 830w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1-230x240.jpg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1-350x365.jpg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/07/AnjanaG-1-480x501.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 187px) 100vw, 187px" /></figure></div>
<p>As I reflect on my first week of the LearnServe abroad trip to Jamaica, I have learned so much new information, met so many new faces and have tried so many new things. Since this is my first time traveling abroad, I was a little shaken up, but I’m happy to come out of my comfort zone and experience everything Jamaica has to offer. When I arrived at the Jamaican Airport at approximately 4:25 pm, I was excited, but it was a frightening experience to leave my mother and family behind. As I was exiting the terminal gate, I recalled hearing my mother say to me “Good-bye Anjana” as I was leaving the airport in Washington, DC. Boarding the airplane brought back memories of me going to Alabama to visit family in the past. When we landed in Miami on our layover to Jamaica, I was happy to feel the heat going down my legs. It was 10:55am, and our airplane had arrived, I was flabbergasted entering the plane to see TVs on the chairs. I was thinking to myself, “I’m I in first class.” Going up into the clouds made me feel like I was in heaven.<br></p>
<p>When I arrived in Jamaica, I immediately felt the rise in temperature as it was significantly hotter than Washington, D.C. I met two amazing men who greeted our team upon arrival, Mr. Jason and the driver Mr. Harrison. We were all very hungry, so we were excited when they took us to a restaurant called Island Grill inside of Sovereign mall for lunch. I immediately noticed that Jamaica’s malls had some similarities to America’s malls. When I was in line preparing my thoughts on what I would eat the curry chicken Yabba kept catching my eye. After lunch, we went to a Jamaican grocery store. I immediately noticed how expensive this store was here in Jamaica compared to America. My first thoughts were that “this store will eat me out of house and home.” While riding in the van heading to our housing at the Shortwood Teachers College, I was absorbing the structures of the homes and wondering what people do for a living and how some are surviving in Jamaica.<br></p>
<p>Upon checking into the dorms, we had a meeting with the trip leaders Asia, Ryan and Sheena. Personally, I did not agree with many of the rules, but I have done my best to follow them. </p>
<p>I am reflecting upon the time I spent at the Source Farm this weekend in St. Thomas, Jamaica where I met Dwight and his family. Upon arriving at the farm, we had orientation and lunch. I was really excited about the lunch as it was plantain stew, and I really love plantains. I also really enjoy eating the mango — and something I had never experienced before, an orange that had a green exterior. After lunch, we went on a journey to collect bamboo that we would use to make a medicine plant bed the following day. I remember walking down the hill and through the forest to collect the bamboo with the team. The walk there took us over ten minutes. What I didn’t expect was how hard it would be to carry the bamboo back up the hill. I was so frustrated that I carried the bamboo all the way to the top of the hill when other only left theirs half way along the trail. <br></p>
<p>The farm has had a huge impact on me because they taught me how to farm and that hard work pays off. Compared to the dorms in Kingston, being on the farm allowed us to stay in a dome home that reminded me of an igloo. In addition, we were all able to go to the roof of the dome to gaze at the stars. I was excited to see four shooting stars and make wishes. Spending time on the top of the roof gazing at the stars brought me back to my childhood. I like the fact that I was up early to see the sunrise. I was able to sit back and reflect on all the incredible memories <br></p>
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<p>I was becoming very homesick, so I was happy that one of the team leaders allowed me to use her phone because my service was not good when we were given our limited time to call home. I’m really excited about being able to do all of the work on the farm because it was harder than I expected, but I was able to accomplish it. <br></p>
<p>After spending time on the organic farm and building the plant beds with the bamboo, we were allowed to go to the beach for a little fun. While I was excited about my time at the beach, I was really not excited about the salty water that would sometimes burn my eyes. I saw so many colors in the water and I was totally flabbergasted by what I saw. I became a little scared while on the beach as I was almost over taken by a huge wave. I was flipping as the waves were trying to carry me away. We got a chance to hang out with Dwight from the farm and his family. We were able to bond as students and with Dwight and his wife and children. <br></p>
<p>In closing, I will never forget Sunday, June 30, 2019 as I showed a lot of hard work and discipline. I say this because I was dedicated to making the medicine plant bed, which was followed by a great time swimming. I was also happy to be able to go a Jamaican party, though I don’t have much to share about that party besides the music was really loud. My learning experiences have gone well so far, I was able to donate my time on the farm. My experience here at “Thee Source Farm” is that if you don’t give up and work hard, you will see success. It pays off to be a hard worker. </p>
<p>Anjana G., SEED Public Charter School</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/30/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-7-life-at-the-source-farm/">LearnServe Jamaica 2019, Day 7: Life at The “Source Farm”</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">12155</post-id> </item>
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<title>LearnServe Jamaica 2019, Day 3: Imagination – The Heart and Soul</title>
<link>https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-3-imagination-the-heart-and-soul/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-3-imagination-the-heart-and-soul</link>
<comments>https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-3-imagination-the-heart-and-soul/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[learnserve]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Jun 2019 21:05:02 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica '19]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[LearnServe Abroad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[SEED Public Charter School DC]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://learn-serve.org/?p=11999</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Today we started our amazing service project at Saint Peter and Paul College Preparatory Catholic School, a private institution in Jamaica that educates children from […]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-3-imagination-the-heart-and-soul/">LearnServe Jamaica 2019, Day 3: Imagination – The Heart and Soul</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img decoding="async" data-attachment-id="12005" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-3-imagination-the-heart-and-soul/dakotab-2/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1.jpg" data-orig-size="1690,1849" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.6","credit":"","camera":"LM-G710","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1561311433","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.03","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.00833333333333","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="DakotaB" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1-274x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1-936x1024.jpg" src="https://i2.wp.com/learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1.jpg?fit=936%2C1024" alt="" class="wp-image-12005" width="156" height="171" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1.jpg 1690w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1-274x300.jpg 274w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1-768x840.jpg 768w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1-936x1024.jpg 936w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1-830x908.jpg 830w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1-230x252.jpg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1-350x383.jpg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/DakotaB-1-480x525.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 156px) 100vw, 156px" /></figure></div>
<p>Today we started our amazing service project at Saint Peter and Paul College Preparatory Catholic School, a private institution in Jamaica that educates children from Pre-K to Kindergarten and leading up to the sixth grade. In understanding that the students from the first to fifth grade were awarded a revamped play area, we aspired to offer this same opportunity for those younger than them. So we took on the challenge of adding color and creativity to the Kindergarten playground.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Walking into the school we recognized the need for this development, as much of the concrete space was a blank canvas composed of leaves and dust for the children to play on. We decided to utilize the paint that one of our trip leaders purchased prior to today, and realized that this project wasn’t the easiest task. We were challenged with the intense amount of Jamaican heat on our backs and the sticky acrylic paint on our fingers. </p>
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<p>Imagination has been the heart and soul of this entire project at Saint Peters and Paul. We were giving multiple blank canvases and were told to let the creativity roam freely. During this process, we came up with numerous activities to paint such as 4 squares, hopscotch, and a mural. The majority of children in Kindergarten need time to wind down during the school day and we figured kids their age know how to make their own games. </p>
<p>Doing this project has made me more appreciative of things I might have taken advantage of at home. The students were so excited about games painted on concrete. Until this week, I never thought to be excited about hot water or air conditioning. This has been an eye-opener to me and it makes me notice how the little things do not matter until their gone.</p>
<p>Today has also made me realize I am not taught to use creativity in school, and if I am it is done on a structural base. Today, while we were brainstorming and painting, I felt like I had the freedom to be totally me. The free for all felt like true creativity. Messy and collaborative. I don’t feel this way in school and wish we had more opportunities to be truly creative. </p>
<p>My most proud moment today was when the assistant principal Ms. Fisher was so excited about the multiple hopscotch games we made for the children. It was something so simple, but also meaningful for her. The trip so far has been amazing and I look forward to the rest of the time we have here in Jamaica.</p>
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<p>Dakota B., SEED Public Charter School</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-3-imagination-the-heart-and-soul/">LearnServe Jamaica 2019, Day 3: Imagination – The Heart and Soul</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">11999</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>LearnServe Jamaica 2019, Day 2: Moving Past School Stereotypes</title>
<link>https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/24/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-2-moving-past-school-stereotypes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-2-moving-past-school-stereotypes</link>
<comments>https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/24/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-2-moving-past-school-stereotypes/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[learnserve]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jun 2019 05:25:13 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica '19]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[LearnServe Abroad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[SEED Public Charter School DC]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://learn-serve.org/?p=12028</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>It was our second day in Jamaica. We woke up and got ready to go to the Saints Peter and Paul Preparatory School, a Catholic […]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/24/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-2-moving-past-school-stereotypes/">LearnServe Jamaica 2019, Day 2: Moving Past School Stereotypes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="12029" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/24/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-2-moving-past-school-stereotypes/yazminea/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/YazmineA.jpg" data-orig-size="1427,1664" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.6","credit":"","camera":"LM-G710","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1561311447","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.03","iso":"50","shutter_speed":"0.00833333333333","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="YazmineA" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/YazmineA-257x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/YazmineA-878x1024.jpg" src="https://i1.wp.com/learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/YazmineA.jpg?fit=878%2C1024" alt="" class="wp-image-12029" width="159" height="184" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/YazmineA.jpg 1427w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/YazmineA-878x1024.jpg 878w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/YazmineA-830x968.jpg 830w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/YazmineA-230x268.jpg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/YazmineA-350x408.jpg 350w" sizes="(max-width: 159px) 100vw, 159px" /></figure></div>
<p>It was our second day in Jamaica. We woke up and got ready to go to the Saints Peter and Paul Preparatory School, a Catholic private school in Jamaica. Our goal for the day was to meet students and ask them questions to compare their education system to ours. The school was amazing. It was perfectly clean and the children were so respectful.<br></p>
<p>Walking into the classrooms in the hot Jamaican air, the children did not even break a sweat. We certainly were, but seeing those children’s excited and curious faces was worth the sweat. We visited the 4th grade classroom with children aged from 9 to 10. We sat down with them as they asked questions like “Have you ever met Donald Trump” or “Do cheerleaders always date football players.” I laughed at the stereotypes that Jamaican children had about us Americans or even how TV, social media, and magazines portray the “American lifestyle.” I tried to explain to them that America is not like how it is shown on TV. We are not all rich, and we do not meet celebrities on a daily basis. I told them, “we are just as normal as you guys.” Even with these curious questions being thrown at us I still had questions about their school system. <br></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="600" data-attachment-id="12030" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/24/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-2-moving-past-school-stereotypes/img_8129/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8129.jpeg" data-orig-size="800,600" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="IMG_8129" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8129-400x300.jpeg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8129.jpeg" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8129.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-12030" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8129.jpeg 800w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8129-400x300.jpeg 400w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8129-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8129-230x173.jpeg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8129-350x263.jpeg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8129-480x360.jpeg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>
<p>We also played at lunch with the kids as they showed us their amazing tricks like cartwheels and handstands and asked me could I do the same. Later in the day, we sat down with Dr. Corretta Johnson, the school psychologist, and learned about how their education was different from ours. She told us about how the kids have tests in each grade to see if they were prepared to move on, 6th graders take a huge test that determines what high school they go to, and 7th grade to 11th grade is high school and there are two grades after high school for high performing students. Personally, I did not like the fact that this test determines the kid’s future school, and I assume that not every person is a big tester. <br></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="578" data-attachment-id="12032" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/24/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-2-moving-past-school-stereotypes/img_8109/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,578" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="IMG_8109" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109-531x300.jpeg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109-1024x578.jpeg" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109-1024x578.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-12032" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109.jpeg 1024w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109-531x300.jpeg 531w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109-768x434.jpeg 768w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109-830x468.jpeg 830w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109-230x130.jpeg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109-350x198.jpeg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2019/06/IMG_8109-480x271.jpeg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
<p>Before Dr. Johnson had explained their education system, I assumed — just as the children did by looking at TV and social media — that I knew what their lives were like. In the media, I saw that their technology was behind and children were not attending school, but I was absolutely wrong. The children were so advanced, and so was their technology. They played with their tablets in class and showed me new games on their tablets. It was very eye-opening to see the similarities and differences between the American education and Jamaican education systems . Similarities could be found in the classrooms such as labeling different objects in different languages, classwork, and also various standardized testing. But, a big difference I noticed was that many Jamaican kids are way more active than American kids. They have longer recesses and more time to be outside. <br></p>
<p>I am proud to know more about Jamaican culture as it brings me closer to my Jamaican heritage. I am proud to say I am half Jamaican. This is my first time traveling to Jamaica and I could not be more excited to be here and embrace every second. </p>
<p>Yazmine A., SEED Public Charter School</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2019/06/24/learnserve-jamaica-2019-day-2-moving-past-school-stereotypes/">LearnServe Jamaica 2019, Day 2: Moving Past School Stereotypes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
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<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">12028</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>LearnServe Jamaica 2018, Day 3: Things I Don’t Normally Do</title>
<link>https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/26/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-3-things-i-dont-normally-do/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-3-things-i-dont-normally-do</link>
<comments>https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/26/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-3-things-i-dont-normally-do/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[learnserve]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2018 19:47:46 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica '18]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[LearnServe Abroad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[SEED Public Charter School DC]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://learn-serve.org/?p=10858</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Tuesday, June 26 – Today we were at Mona Heights Primary School again. I talked with the students more, and we got to know each […]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/26/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-3-things-i-dont-normally-do/">LearnServe Jamaica 2018, Day 3: Things I Don’t Normally Do</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="10861" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/26/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-3-things-i-dont-normally-do/carlos-jamaica-2018-headshot-2/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1.jpg" data-orig-size="1504,2016" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Carlos Jamaica 2018 Headshot" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1-224x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1-764x1024.jpg" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-10861" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="300" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1-224x300.jpg 224w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1-768x1029.jpg 768w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1-764x1024.jpg 764w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1-830x1113.jpg 830w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1-230x308.jpg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1-350x469.jpg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1-480x643.jpg 480w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Carlos-Jamaica-2018-Headshot-1.jpg 1504w" sizes="(max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px" />Tuesday, June 26 – Today we were at Mona Heights Primary School again. I talked with the students more, and we got to know each other better. We played tag, and I got to play red light/green light with them. I also read 10 books in a row to some of the older students while the teacher graded papers. Talking to the kids made me realize that I need to take pride in what I have in school and not take it for granted. When I first got to the school I thought it would be out of control and really different, but when I got there it was not like that. The school is just like some schools in D.C., but there are a few things that are different.</p>
<p>Students here have to pay for their own lunch, and if they don’t have the money, they have to wait and have it when they get home. At school, the class sizes are also really big. There are 25 kids in one class, and this shocked me because I’m used to 15 students in a class. I think because the classes are so big, the teachers have to work harder here than in some other countries.</p>
<p>Another thing I noticed is that the teachers at the school are like fathers and mothers to their students. One of the teachers told me that this happens because a few of the kids don’t have their own mothers or fathers in their lives. I think this is why the students give the teachers so much respect and actually listen the first time instructions are given.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="10863" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/26/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-3-things-i-dont-normally-do/jamaica-group-photo-2/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2.jpg" data-orig-size="3264,2448" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 6 Plus","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1529931073","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.15","iso":"32","shutter_speed":"0.000454959053685","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Jamaica Group Photo 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2-400x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2-1024x768.jpg" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-10863" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2-400x300.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="300" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2-830x623.jpg 830w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2-230x173.jpg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2-350x263.jpg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Jamaica-Group-Photo-2-480x360.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />When I get back to school I will tell my peers that they should be happy with the things they have because of everything I saw and heard at Mona Heights Primary School. I met several kids here who would love to have the things that we have back home. They would love to be able to do the things we do at school, like going on field trips or having access to a computer lab for research.</p>
<p>So far this trip has helped me do things I don’t normally do, like talking about my life to people I don’t know. Every time we have a break I talk to other people on Team Jamaica. Sometimes the conversations are hard for me and make me feel uncomfortable, but I’m happy to be making connections and friends. Tomorrow is our last day at the school, and then we are going to EITS Irish-Town, a co-op farm in the mountains. I’m excited to be in the Blue Mountains and climb because I really like hiking and being in nature.</p>
<p>Carlos H., SEED Public Charter School</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/26/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-3-things-i-dont-normally-do/">LearnServe Jamaica 2018, Day 3: Things I Don’t Normally Do</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">10858</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>LearnServe Jamaica 2018, Day 2: All I Had To Do Was Be Myself</title>
<link>https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-2-all-i-had-to-do-was-be-myself/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-2-all-i-had-to-do-was-be-myself</link>
<comments>https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-2-all-i-had-to-do-was-be-myself/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[learnserve]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2018 19:16:14 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica '18]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[LearnServe Abroad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[SEED Public Charter School DC]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://learn-serve.org/?p=10749</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Monday, June 25 – When I woke up today I knew that in a couple hours I would arrive at a primary school in Jamaica. […]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-2-all-i-had-to-do-was-be-myself/">LearnServe Jamaica 2018, Day 2: All I Had To Do Was Be Myself</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="10777" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-2-all-i-had-to-do-was-be-myself/zach-clark-headshot-jamaica/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica.jpg" data-orig-size="1504,2016" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Zach Clark Headshot Jamaica" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica-224x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica-764x1024.jpg" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-10777" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="300" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica-224x300.jpg 224w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica-768x1029.jpg 768w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica-764x1024.jpg 764w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica-830x1113.jpg 830w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica-230x308.jpg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica-350x469.jpg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica-480x643.jpg 480w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-Clark-Headshot-Jamaica.jpg 1504w" sizes="(max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px" />Monday, June 25 – When I woke up today I knew that in a couple hours I would arrive at a primary school in Jamaica. Back at home we refer to schools as elementary, middle, and high schools, so to refer to a school as primary was new to me. I assumed that I would be working with children younger than me but I didn’t know how young. I was eager and excited to meet the students, but also a little nervous. I was a little kid again on their first day of school wanting to make a good impression.</p>
<p>When we arrived at the primary school we waited on the bus for about ten minutes before being paired to a classroom. All I could think about was what grade and age group I would be working with. I didn’t want to have a class so close to my age they didn’t listen to me, or a class so young they didn’t know what I was saying. I ended up with a class of first graders so I kind of got what I was asking for, but because of my American/ DC accent, sometimes they still didn’t understand me. Turns out, it didn’t take a lot for the students to like me. All I had to do was be myself.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="10773" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-2-all-i-had-to-do-was-be-myself/zach-in-jamaica-2/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1.jpg" data-orig-size="1520,2040" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Zach in Jamaica" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1-224x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1-763x1024.jpg" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-10773" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="224" height="300" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1-224x300.jpg 224w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1-768x1031.jpg 768w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1-763x1024.jpg 763w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1-830x1114.jpg 830w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1-230x309.jpg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1-350x470.jpg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1-480x644.jpg 480w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/Zach-in-Jamaica-1.jpg 1520w" sizes="(max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px" /></p>
<p>Even though it was only my first day at the primary school, I already felt so close to all of the students. We started with a game to help remember each other’s names. The rules were to state your name and associate it with a dance move. The next person had to remember the people before them’s name and dance move and repeat it. The goal was to make it around the whole class but it doesn’t matter what country first graders are from – they are still first graders.</p>
<p>The students embraced my teammate Abigail and myself. At times we were swarmed with first graders asking for help with their classwork or just wanting to talk.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="10752" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-2-all-i-had-to-do-was-be-myself/img_6615/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/IMG_6615-e1530040479360.jpg" data-orig-size="3024,4032" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 6s","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1529922138","copyright":"","focal_length":"4.15","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.030303030303","title":"","orientation":"6"}" data-image-title="Zach in Jamaica 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/IMG_6615-e1530040479360-225x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/IMG_6615-e1530040479360-768x1024.jpg" class="wp-image-10752 size-medium alignleft" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/IMG_6615-e1530040479360-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/IMG_6615-e1530040479360-225x300.jpg 225w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/IMG_6615-e1530040479360-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/IMG_6615-e1530040479360-830x1107.jpg 830w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/IMG_6615-e1530040479360-230x307.jpg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/IMG_6615-e1530040479360-350x467.jpg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2018/06/IMG_6615-e1530040479360-480x640.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" />The students helped me learn, remember, and realize some things. I learned that I am capable of multitasking. They helped me remember just how gross 6 and 7 year olds can be. And I realized that I want to go into a career involving children. I accepted that it was a 1st grade classroom and that it was filled with germs, but it was also filled with dedication and inspiration. Ms. Duval, the first grade teacher assigned about 7 pages of work to complete. The students did complain but because they wanted more work. The eagerness they had to learn is something everyone should have at all ages.</p>
<p>One student from the school took the initiative to do more work than what was assigned, but he needed my help. I asked him why he was doing the work when it wasn’t assigned. He responded by saying that he would rather get ahead than fall behind, and that he had free time now so why not complete it. I’ve struggled with procrastination in the past and hearing this information come from someone who was looking up to me means if he can do it, I will do it too.</p>
<p>This evening we got the chance to attend a classical music concert. The concert was meant to bring together the Spanish and Jamaican citizens in Jamaica through music. This was a great opportunity to experience something new and expose myself to a culture within a culture. So far I love Jamaica, and I’m sure my love for the country will only grow.</p>
<p>Zach C., SEED Public Charter School</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2018/06/25/learnserve-jamaica-2018-day-2-all-i-had-to-do-was-be-myself/">LearnServe Jamaica 2018, Day 2: All I Had To Do Was Be Myself</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">10749</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>LearnServe Jamaica 2017: Passing My Fears (7/8)</title>
<link>https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/10/learnserve-jamaica-2017-passing-my-fears-78-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learnserve-jamaica-2017-passing-my-fears-78-2</link>
<comments>https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/10/learnserve-jamaica-2017-passing-my-fears-78-2/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[learnserve]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jul 2017 22:25:03 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica '17]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[LearnServe Abroad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[SEED Public Charter School DC]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://learn-serve.org/?p=6812</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Today we visited The Hope Zoo and Botanical Gardens of Kingston Jamaica. I noticed many differences between the zoo in Jamaica and the National Zoo […]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/10/learnserve-jamaica-2017-passing-my-fears-78-2/">LearnServe Jamaica 2017: Passing My Fears (7/8)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
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<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="9781" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/10/learnserve-jamaica-2017-passing-my-fears-78-2/dayanah/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Dayanah.jpg" data-orig-size="207,160" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Dayanah" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Dayanah.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Dayanah.jpg" class="alignleft wp-image-9781 size-full" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Dayanah.jpg" alt="" width="207" height="160" />Today we visited The Hope Zoo and Botanical Gardens of Kingston Jamaica. I noticed many differences between the zoo in Jamaica and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Back home at the National Zoo, we have a huge variety of animals, but here in Jamaica they have mostly birds and only a few four legged animals. The birds were mostly different species of parrots. The array of colors on these animals were breathtaking. Jamaica’s national bird is the swallowed tailed hummingbird, as we learned from the teen moms at the St Anthony Mary’s Child mission home, on the 4<sup>th</sup> of July. Oddly there were none exhibited in cages. The parrot or Macaws that are most seen in Jamaica are the yellow beaked and black beaked, which are smaller than the more popular Macaws that are very colorful.</p>
<p>At the zoo, there were a lot of cats roaming in the different cages while others animals were resting. This trip was personal to me because I have a phobia of all animals. It was really a challenge for me to get close to certain animals because I wasn’t sure of how they would react to our presence or me. Just the mere thought of a roaming dog or cat, let alone the goats we have seen everywhere in Jamaica, paralyzes me in fear. I don’t remember ever being bitten by an animal, but I feel so helpless in their presence. I was determined today to at least give it a try, especially since the animals were in cages, Once I focused more on our group, I was able to relax and walk through the zoo peacefully not really worried because my group was relaxed, which helped me to remain calm. Everyone really enjoyed their time at the zoo, especially when we were talking to the birds. The parrots actually could talk, which was a surprised. Not many people can say they actually had a bird say hello to them. When I think about the birds at the zoo, I think it’s really sad to know that these birds are caged and not allowed to have any freedom. In a way I am opposite to them because my fears cause me to push away the freedom I have. They are not in control of their freedom like I am. I noticed a lot about myself and the environment around me. I realize that I put too much worry around my environment, which makes me behave as if I am in a cage. Personally, I am excited that I was able to get through the zoo, I feel I am becoming more comfortable with being around animals. Some may not understand but even with them being locked away and the fact that I was with others who would protect me, I actually got passed my fears, though momentarily today at the zoo.</p>
<p>Dayanah G., SEED Public Charter School DC</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/10/learnserve-jamaica-2017-passing-my-fears-78-2/">LearnServe Jamaica 2017: Passing My Fears (7/8)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
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<title>LearnServe Jamaica 2017: Hiking in the Blue Mountains (6/28)</title>
<link>https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/05/learnserve-jamaica-2017-hiking-in-the-blue-mountains-628-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learnserve-jamaica-2017-hiking-in-the-blue-mountains-628-2</link>
<comments>https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/05/learnserve-jamaica-2017-hiking-in-the-blue-mountains-628-2/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[learnserve]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 05 Jul 2017 21:35:36 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica '17]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[LearnServe Abroad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[SEED Public Charter School DC]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://learn-serve.org/?p=6689</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>As I walked the tallest mountain, I complained about going back down because there were too many bugs, rocks and shifting weather temperatures. It felt […]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/05/learnserve-jamaica-2017-hiking-in-the-blue-mountains-628-2/">LearnServe Jamaica 2017: Hiking in the Blue Mountains (6/28)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="9860" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/05/learnserve-jamaica-2017-hiking-in-the-blue-mountains-628-2/briana/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Briana.jpg" data-orig-size="414,276" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Briana" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Briana.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Briana.jpg" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-9860" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Briana.jpg" alt="" width="414" height="276" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Briana.jpg 414w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Briana-230x153.jpg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Briana-350x233.jpg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Briana-272x182.jpg 272w" sizes="(max-width: 414px) 100vw, 414px" />As I walked the tallest mountain, I complained about going back down because there were too many bugs, rocks and shifting weather temperatures. It felt like the mountain would never end. But instead of giving up, I thought of different methods to push me through it . At first, I was using methods like running. I thought, wait I run track, its the same as track practice. That didn’t last long because of the challenge of the rocks and steep hills . Then another method I tried, was walking for 10 minutes and taking a break for 5 minutes . That ended up not working because we started taking breaks every two minutes instead . While walking up the mountains, you have to have some type of motivation. My motivation was to be the first girl to reach the peak . It gave me something to focus on instead of the need for comfort, I wasn’t going back down; I came to far to give up. As I climbed the mountain, left-left, left-right-left, a chant our group leader gave us as motivation to keep pushing, I thought about my upcoming school year. AP classes, advanced placement courses are probably just like this hike. Hot in places, cold in others, sharp rocks, slippery spots, steep areas and many, many turns. I was totally frustrated by the unpredictability of every step I took. The closer I climbed to the top the more impossible it seemed. This had to be a trick.</p>
<p>My peers were struggling too, but we hung on to the thought of the top. Looking out across the neighboring peaks, it was obvious why the peak was declared a national park. Its pristine landscape was well kept. You could feel the pride of the caretakers who meticulously manicured the edges of the pathway, not leaving one singular piece of trash from the bottom to the very top. Much different than areas in Washington, DC area, where there is trash everywhere. I think we can take way too much for granted at home. I can’t wait to get home to tell my mom how much I appreciate her. Continuing up, I read the signage. I learned that the Blue Mountains contained species of vegetation, including trees that aren’t found any other place in the world. Something else that caught my attention was that you could hear sounds of animals, especially birds, but you saw very few. The vegetation was so dense all movement and signs of life were deeply camouflaged. The mountain is a huge resource that the people of Blue Mountains have that can be used for many things. There are areas for with coffee, fruits, as well as, camping, bird watching and of course just walking. We saw the park rangers and other guides, who were kind, but if asked how long to go , they all said the same thing, just a few miles left, no matter where you were located on the path.</p>
<p>I’m amazed that so many of us achieved our goal today, especially me. I can honestly say that it was the group I was with and their positive reinforcement along the way that helped me make it. I guess that’s life, we can’t do things by ourselves, we actually need each other. This trip, so far, has definitely tested me in many ways. I learned a lot about myself and the importance of taking care of yourself. Water was definitely important on the hike, so the anger I had about carrying it changed because it was more than half done by the time we reached the peak. “Being comfortable; being uncomfortable,” has a brand new meaning to me. Knowing that even at the point that I feel that I can’t achieve my goals that surrounding myself with positive people is the key to my success. This method will definitely come in handy next school year and beyond.</p>
<p>Briana H., SEED Public Charter School</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/05/learnserve-jamaica-2017-hiking-in-the-blue-mountains-628-2/">LearnServe Jamaica 2017: Hiking in the Blue Mountains (6/28)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
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<title>LearnServe Jamaica 2017: Feeling Welcomed (6/25)</title>
<link>https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/02/learnserve-jamaica-2017-feeling-welcomed-625-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learnserve-jamaica-2017-feeling-welcomed-625-2</link>
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<dc:creator><![CDATA[learnserve]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 02 Jul 2017 23:50:56 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Jamaica '17]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[LearnServe Abroad]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[SEED Public Charter School DC]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://learn-serve.org/?p=6648</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Our experience traveling to our home stays was very interesting. Many of my group members were scared of heights but while they were experiencing that, […]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/02/learnserve-jamaica-2017-feeling-welcomed-625-2/">LearnServe Jamaica 2017: Feeling Welcomed (6/25)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="9879" data-permalink="https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/02/learnserve-jamaica-2017-feeling-welcomed-625-2/zhane-484x300/" data-orig-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Zhane-484x300.jpg" data-orig-size="484,300" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Zhane-484×300" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Zhane-484x300-484x300.jpg" data-large-file="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Zhane-484x300.jpg" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-9879" src="http://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Zhane-484x300.jpg" alt="" width="484" height="300" srcset="https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Zhane-484x300.jpg 484w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Zhane-484x300-230x143.jpg 230w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Zhane-484x300-350x217.jpg 350w, https://learn-serve.org/assets/2017/07/Zhane-484x300-480x298.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px" />Our experience traveling to our home stays was very interesting. Many of my group members were scared of heights but while they were experiencing that, I noticed the community throughout the Blue Mountains. I saw people outside their homes. I noticed that their homes don’t look the way they do back home. By the looks of it, they built their own homes meaning they are independent, smart and hardworking. As we drove across the bumpy dirt roads I saw goats and other domestic animals. This made me want to appreciate the resources my community provides me.</p>
<p>Before we met our home stay families and falling asleep, we checked in with each other as group. We wrote in our journals and I agreed to blog tonight. As we walked the dirt paths back to our home stay, we spoke to many people in the community and I felt welcomed. My first day in Jamaica set the tone for the rest of our trip and it made a great impression.</p>
<p>Zhane S., SEED Public Charter School</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://learn-serve.org/2017/07/02/learnserve-jamaica-2017-feeling-welcomed-625-2/">LearnServe Jamaica 2017: Feeling Welcomed (6/25)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://learn-serve.org">LearnServe International</a>.</p>
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